UK Partner and Spouse Visa
The UK Partner and Spouse Visa allows eligible spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners and fiancé(e)s of qualifying people in the UK to live with their partner under the UK Family Visa route.
Applicants must meet detailed requirements relating to their relationship, financial circumstances, English language ability and intention to live together permanently in the UK. The evidence required will depend on the couple’s circumstances and the basis on which the application is being made.
Hudson McKenzie’s UK immigration lawyers advise individuals and families on Partner and Spouse Visa applications, extensions and settlement. We assess eligibility, identify potential issues, review supporting evidence and guide applicants through the immigration process.
Who Can Apply for a UK Partner or Spouse Visa?
You may be eligible to apply where your partner is:
- A British or Irish citizen
- Settled in the UK, including a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status
- An eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein national with pre-settled status who started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
- A person with qualifying protection status
- A person with qualifying permission as a stateless person
- A person with another qualifying status recognised under the Family Visa rules
Both partners must generally be aged 18 or over and intend to live together permanently in the UK.
Depending on the circumstances, applicants may qualify as a:
- Spouse
- Civil partner
- Unmarried partner
- Fiancé(e)
- Proposed civil partner
Current Home Office guidance expressly recognises British and Irish citizens, settled persons, certain pre-settled-status holders, people with protection status and qualifying stateless-person status as possible sponsoring partners.
What Are the Main UK Partner Visa Requirements?
A Partner or Spouse Visa application normally requires the applicant to demonstrate that:
- The relationship meets the relevant Immigration Rules
- The relationship is genuine and continuing
- Any marriage or civil partnership is legally recognised where applicable
- Previous relationships have permanently ended where relevant
- The financial requirement is met, unless different rules or an exemption apply
- The English language requirement is met, unless an exemption applies
- The couple intend to live together permanently in the UK
The exact requirements and evidence depend on the applicant’s circumstances and whether the application is made from outside or inside the UK.
UK Partner and Spouse Visa Requirements
Relationship Requirements & Genuine Relationship Evidence
Financial & English Language Requirements
Applying from Outside the UK, Switching & Fiancé(e) Visas
Visa Duration, Extensions & Indefinite Leave to Remain
How Hudson McKenzie Can Help With a UK Partner or Spouse Visa
Partner and Spouse Visa applications can involve detailed relationship, financial and evidential requirements. Applications can become more complex where income comes from multiple sources, the couple live apart, the applicant is switching from another immigration route, or previous immigration history needs to be considered.
Hudson McKenzie can support applicants with:
- Initial eligibility assessments
- Partner and Spouse Visa applications
- Unmarried Partner Visa applications
- Fiancé(e) and proposed civil partner applications
- Financial requirement assessments
- Cash savings calculations
- Review of relationship evidence
- English language requirements
- Supporting-document preparation
- Switching applications
- Visa extensions
- Applications involving eligible children
- Indefinite Leave to Remain planning
Our UK immigration lawyers can review the circumstances of the relationship, identify potential issues before submission and help ensure that the application and supporting evidence address the relevant requirements.
Where a Partner or Spouse Visa is not the appropriate route, we can also consider whether another UK immigration option may be available.
Contact Hudson McKenzie to discuss your UK Partner or Spouse Visa application.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. UK Family Visa requirements, financial thresholds, evidential requirements and Immigration Rules may change. Advice should be obtained based on the applicant’s individual circumstances and the requirements in force at the time of application.
